Submitted by: Dan Rich
Aug. 25, 1943 - July 1, 2007
South Bend Tribune 7/4/2007
GRANGER, IN - Mr. John Philip Kirby, 63, of Broken Wood
Court, passed away about noon Sunday, July 1, in his residence
following an apparent heart attack. Mr. Kirby was born August 25,
1943, in Brockton, Mass., to the late John W. and Margaret A. (Costello)
Kirby, who survives of Naples, FL.
On July 1, 1967, John married Ann Marie (Moller)
Kirby, who survives of Granger. He worked as director of
maintenance for many airlines from 1981 to 2005. Other survivors
include a son, John P. Kirby; a daughter, Kimberly A. (William) Bobovecz;
and a grandson, Matthew Bobovecz, all of Naples, FL. Along with
his father, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Janet E.
(Rick) Teagarden of Brinson, GA.
Mr. Kirby was a 20-year career Navy veteran
who received numerous medals of accommodation including the
Vietnam Service Medal with star. He was a member of St. Pius X
Catholic Church and was an avid Harley Davidson enthusiast,
belonging to both the local and national Harley Owners Group for
18 years as well as the American Motor Cycle Association. He was
an ABATE of Indiana member, as well as the Fleet Reserve
Association, the BPOE Elks and American Airlines Retirees. John
was a past Exalted Ruler for the Saab 340 Operators Conference
and was a member of the American Legion. Mr. Kirby attended
Metropolitan State in Denver, CO. He loved to listen to the
"oldies but goodies" music, enjoyed Saturday night
stock car racing and to help friends in need with a project or
lending tools. He had "the gift of gab" and was
mechanically inclined doing lots of auto repair and body work,
and he built an arbor in his back yard and the information signs
at the entrances of his Bridle Wood neighborhood. After retiring
from the airlines, he enjoyed his job as manager of sales and
marketing at Baabs Wood Pit Barbeque.
A Christian Rite of Burial Mass will be
celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Pius X Catholic Church,
with Rev. William Schooler, pastor, officiating. Friends may call
from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the McGann Hay Granger Chapel, 13260 SR
23, enter off Cherry Road, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of
the Mass in church on Friday. Cremation will follow, with burial
at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Heart
Association or to the American Diabetes Association.